HCD for an N scale layout.

I've been contacting lumber yards within a 25 mile radius. Seems I'm almost laughable at my inquiring of damaged doors. I have no idea why this appears entertaining to those I'm speaking to. It feels rude from my end. The typical response is: If they come in damaged, we send them back.

Anyone with suggestions? Perhaps I'm going about it all wrong. I have so little space as it is, but it's been too many years just wanting a train to run that I feel desperate. An HCD might very well fit under our bed while not in use. Not the best solution, but one that could work.

When life bothers me (no need to explain) I sometimes get up, go out in the living room, get one of my N scale pieces out and just look at it. I recall fond memories of being with my father on the railroad and, at least for that moment, things feel a little better. But I admit, I "need" a setup. Holding them isn't quite enough anymore. I need to have them rolling on a setup. I know almost ALL of you will understand.

So, if you have other thoughts, let me know. I'm even looking around in case I see an HCD by the curb from someone throwing a damaged one out in a home remodeling situation. Hrm, as I typed that I just realized ... I need to contact local contractors! Oh well, I never claimed to be the brightest bulb in the chandelier! *chuckle*

Blessings & best wishes,

Pastor David J. Kress, Sr.

P.S. My home is only about 750 square feet, so I don't have much space to work with. Can't complain too much though, it's paid for by next Christmas!

 

I've got a door in my garage I'd be more than willing to give you. You'd just have to travel to Indianapolis.

 

I can certainly relate. There's lots to be stressed and or bummed about here these days. Tinkering with my N-scale stuff has proven to be a great stress-reducer (not to mention something to keep me awake when my littlest one gets up WAYYYY to early!). While you're looking for a nice HCD, have you considered building a diorama or maybe even a T-trak module? I've got a great plan for my layout, but until I have the time/money/fill-in-the-blank to build it, I've been building some models and a little diorama to take pictures with and display my stuff. It's been a great way to actually do something for a change, and it's been helping me hone my skills and test ideas without messing up the real layout. I've built this (including the locomotive, scenery, and buildings) from junk in my parts box and around the house:



It's tiny, but it's soo much better than not doing any trains at all. Anyway, just a thought.

As for finding HCDs, have you considered checking Craigs List, and/or posting an ad looking for one?

 

I've looked at Lowes and Home Depot, and they have 36"x80" for like $30-35, so my thought is just buy one, or wait til someone has one on sale

 

Thank you for the offer, mhampton. But, with our sole vehicle having over 175 thousand miles on it I have to keep the miles off it. Your offer is much appreciated though

Ike the BN Freak: I was at Lowes just days ago. They were the most recent to sort of snicker when I inquired of a door. I'll recheck them, but when I looked before the prices appeared double what you quoted.

Thanks for the input & offer, guys. I'm not giving up locating something. I realize that the average person may not feel 30 to 35 dollars is much money, but we're still trying to play "catch-up" financially from last year. My wife was being sent home so frequently from work before shift normally ended, even at times told not to come to work the next day that we were getting in bad shape, & I mean REALLY bad shape. I was getting worried. So, without elaborating, money is indeed an issue as we are still trying to recover & hold our own. Thankfully, we only have about 14 more house payments & the homestead is all ours That will be a relief! As a reminder, I'm just charming & good looking ... not a man of means. *chuckles*

I'll be checking the thread to see if any other ideas are posted. Meantime, I'll recheck Lowes & Home Depot again as well as checking with some local contractors.

Blessings & best wishes,

Pastor David J. Kress, Sr.

 

David, you might consider speaking with the Managers at Home Depot, Lowe's, or local Mom & Pop stores. They may be more sympathetic to your plight, especially if you play the "Pastor, Poor as a Church Mouse" card. I realize this approach is not your style, but occasionally one has to remind a person they are still members of a compassionate society.

 

When at Lowes, Home Depot or Menards be sure you are asking for a Luan Hollow Core Door that should be about $35 it sounds like the price you were quoted was for an Oak Hollow Core Door which would be at minimum double the cost.

 

JohnMD: You are right. I never asked for Luan HCD. This may make all the difference. I'm gonna try this again Thank you for pointing this out.


Hytec: I'll pass on the "poor pastor" sales pitch. *chuckles*

 

Just finished speaking with Lowes. Saying "Luan" made all the difference. All are 80 inches in length with 24, 28, 30, 32, & 36 inch widths. I didn't know what "slab" meant, so he explained it was the door without the frame. Price quoted was 20 to 26 dollars. Much better.

Thanks for the help, fellas.

Blessings & best wishes,

Pastor David J. Kress, Sr.

 

Pastor Dave-

You might also see if there is a housing development project in your area. Stop by and ask a forman if they have any damaged doors. Most of the time they just chuck them anyways. Or another idea is to try craigslist. Sometimes people have excess hardware that they are getting rid of for next to nothing.

Think positive about the next 14 months. The good lord has blessed you with only having 14 months to go until you own your house. It sure beats the situation that alot of the rest of the people in society are in.

God Bless
Ryan

 

BoxcabE50:

That's what I was trying for in the beginning, but as I said all I got were near rude chuckles and told that if they had any bad ones that they just sent them right back to the manufacturer. Once I was reminded of the "Luan" HCD's I called Lowes & everything changed. The guy was quick with the better pricing. Once upon a time I had that in my head, but over time I had forgotten. I learned that here (on this forum:the term, Luan) but my brain is a lot like a taco these days, meaning, it seems the more I shove in it the more that falls out. *chuckle*

After measuring, I was talking with my Mrs about which size to get & where in the world I'm going to store it. Another hurdle, but will work on that. I have no attic to work with, no basement to put it, but I'll figure something out. I think I already mentioned that our home is only approx 750 sq ft. So you can see that is pretty limiting. Our home is pretty much the type you might find at a lake as a summer cottage. It used to have all homasote on the walls and blown-in paper fiber for insulation. The humidity level inside during the summer drove us batty. Over the years, we've replaced three rooms with drywall & fiberglass insulation. Now the home is comfortable. I'm rambling on ... sorry.

I can hardly wait to get started. I have a cheap digital camera the Mrs got from work last Christmas. It's pretty decent though & I've learned how to post on facebook. I hope to post photos of something by Christmas.

Thanks again to everyone for the input and especially your patience with me.

 

Great to hear it, Dave! Hey, have you considered mounting your layout to the ceiling? It'd be pretty easy to rig up (hey, cheap rigging pun not intended!) some ropes or cables with pulleys and have it store up and out of the way when not in use. That was what I was going to do with my other layout before I got the idea for the 2x4 harbor layout. Anyway, we're here to help so feel free to ask.

 

David, my son had a similar space challenge many years ago. He stored his HCD under their bed, and placed it on the bed for working. Naturally everything had to be securely fastened to the HCD because he tilted one side on the floor while he lifted the other side up onto the bed.

 

David when you go to your lumber yards and building sites ask if they have any scrap doors that the new doors came on, sometimes the retailers send an old door on the bottom of the pallet of doors, thinking about this it would be more suited to a building site, as they would only order enough doors to do a certain amount of units at a time and the old door would be on a pallet that they had to make up as it would not be a full pallet of doors. hope this makes sense.
God bless
colin

 

I can hardly wait! I'm going to pick up the Luan HCD this week I believe. I shouldn't have, but I bought an N scale template made by Kato for their unitrack. I almost feel giddy! *chuckle*

I just can't seem to get the hang of using the software from atlas & another free one I downloaded. So, I'm spending money I shouldn't, but by golly I'm determined to get a train running!

I hope I can use this template properly. I want the 36" x 80" door, but still debating that one for the next day or two. The idea of suspending it from the ceiling is pretty neat, but I do believe my wife would either have my hide or have me committed if I try that ... possibly both!

My ceilings are not standard either, they are 7 & a half feet, not 8 or 10 ft. If I were a man of means I would have owned a larger home, but I got the charm & good looks instead. *snicker* Yes, you may laugh at me now.

Anyway, just wanted to share this little bit of joy with you friends

Not a shabby start either. I have an engine ... an H16-44 PRR. I also have 7 rolling stock. The unitrack is gonna hurt, but I'm going for it.

I'm not sure if what I want to do, track wise, will sound ok or not, but I'm thinking along the lines of two ovals, An outside & an inside. A crossover & a couple of turnouts. Something diagonally to break the scene so it appears to be two separate train scenes. Like a mountain or a forest, or even just a backdrop of some type. Listen to me ramble on here. I feel like a kid at Christmas.

Any more thoughts or suggestions are welcomed & appreciated. Thankfully this forum is a kind & forgiving one. You folks have been patient & indulging & it is duly noted. A newb such as myself can be frustrating for the more learned ones here.

I sincerely appreciate this board & those so willing to help another.

Blessings & best wishes,

Pastor David J. Kress, Sr.

 

Dave I don't know if you've spent the money on the layout plan yet, but in case you haven't heard, Model Railroader is having a free preview weekend until tomorrow at 8am CST where you can see all of the subscriber-only stuff, including viewing and downloading ANY of the track plans. Couldn't hurt to check it out, and isn't it nice how things can work out sometimes? God bless!